Sales Of New Homes Fell In December, But Were Up Sharply In 2012 : The Two-WayThere were an estimated 367,000 new homes sold last year, up 19.9 percent from the 306,000 sold in 2011. The dip in December isn't being seen as a sign that the recovery has gone off track.

Over the whole year, the agencies estimate, there were 367,000 new homes sold — up 19.9 percent from the 306,000 sold in 2011.

Reuters says that despite the dip in December from November, housing "still appears set to be a bright spot in the country's economic recovery." And, it notes that:

"Government data for new home sales are subject to substantial revisions. Indeed, the Commerce Department raised its estimate for sales in November by 22,000 to a 398,000-unit rate, making the pace of sales in November the fastest since April 2010."